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One of ABT’s core purpose is the collation and updating of threatened species records within the Makarora Catchment to help facilitate and inform appropriate application of invasive predator control.

ABT have been updating records for whio/ blue duck Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos to help ascertain the current status of this ancient endemic waterfowl species within the upper reaches of the Makarora Catchment. No formal inventory has been completed for this species since the work of the late Peter Child during 1970’s/1980’s.

To date a specialist contractor Paul van Klink and his protected species survey dog (Hoki) has been commissioned to undertake walkover surveys for the upper Wilkin, the Siberia and the Young Valley.

Whio surveyor with protected species survey dog in the North Wilkin Valley

From the results of these walkover surveys and the addition of recent incidental records it is promising to see that there remains a remnant population. Numbers are low and in some cases are limited to just male individuals, a high prevalence of unpaired males on rivers without predator control is often common as nesting females are more vulnerable to mammalian predation. However, evidence of breeding success has been recorded with observations of pair bonds and a fledgling bird.

Adult male whio

This valuable survey work continues to expand for the region with the future aim of restoring viable, sustainable populations of whio/ blue duck within the upper river catchments of the Makarora for future generations.

Down stream of Lake Lucidus, North branch of the Wilkin with HokiWhio survey dog in action (Hoki). Image credit P van Klink

The start of 2019 marks the installation of Celium remote monitoring technology for two key alpine rock wren sites within the Makarora Catchment. We are delighted to be partnering with Encounter Solutions on this innovative approach not yet trialled within the alpine environment.

Celium remote monitoring Hub at the head of the Wilkin River with Rachel to the left

The Celium platform is a low powered wireless network designed for the purpose of wide-scale rugged management applications. Celium consists of a range of communication devices called Nodes (attached to traps) equipped with sensors. The sensors are designed to monitor parameters such as the status of a pest control trap (below), which the nodes then communicate to the base station called a Hub. The Celium Hub transmits the data via satellite to the Celium cloud programme, which then sends a signal to the user via a notification email or text message.

The Celium Platform can be used for predator control monitoring and also has potential application for monitoring climate/weather and wildlife. On this instance the installation intends to aid trap maintenance servicing efficiency for rock wren protection within remote areas.

Encounter Solutions Director Simon Croft (below) enjoyed his time out in the field with ABT and gained a number of close encounters with New Zealands only true alpine specialist – the endangered rock wren. His technical knowledge was a valuable addition during the North Wilkin installation.

Simon from Encounter Solutions installing Celium Hub with ABT

Since installation there have been three invasive mammal trap triggers at the highest trap location points. We look forward to reporting back on what predators have been captured. More soon….

Classified as nationally endangered, the rock wren (Xenicus gilviventris) is New Zealand’s only true alpine specialist remaining in the mountains above the treeline for most of its life. Following the results of ABT’s rock wren survey transect monitoring during Jan/Feb 2018 the team have been installing invasive mammal predator control within two key focal alpine areas. Areas include, the Crucible basin within the Siberia Valley and the upper Lucidus/ Lake Castalia, North Branch of the Wilkin.

Invasive mammalian predator traps (DOC 200 and 150 models) were transported in to both sites on a suspended sling from a Hughes 500 helicopter. The traps were then distributed to designated locations extending and complementing existing predator control efforts within the locality.

Site locations within the Makarora Catchment can be seen from the topograph image below. The North branch of the Wilkin and the Crucible basin are situated to the west of the Makarora River.

Population status

Rock wren are at risk from invasive mammalian predation particularly from stoats and rats but also mice. There is increasing recognition that invasive predators are widespread within New Zealand alpine zones. Recent work has found that humane kill trapping of invasive predators can increase rock wren breeding success within the alpine environment (Weston et al 2018).

The national population of rock wren is currently unknown but thought to be around 5,000 mature individuals (IUCN) with severely fragmented populations due to particular habitat requirements. The rock wren belongs to a unique ancient lineage of eight New Zealand wrens now only two species survive. The alpine rock wren and the rifleman Acanthisitta chloris, generally a forest passserine.

Male rock wren upper Lucidus/ Castallia

During both trips it was encouraging to observe a number of adult rock wren present busy foraging on invertebrate prey. Particularly, at Crucible basin following the late November snowfall. Most birds were male which may indicate females occupied on their nest sites.

Remote trap monitoring

With the aim of optimising alpine trap servicing efficiency and improving understanding of temporal and climate influences on predator trapping ABT have partnered with Encounter Solutions Ltd to install remote trap monitoring technology. The equipment will be installed in January for both alpine sites. This system has been applied to other trapping habitats but will be a first for the alpine environment. If successful other remote rock wren habitats could benefit from use of this technology to aid predator control programmes.

With dedicated effort it is possible that focused rock wren recovery at these sites could result in potential “source” populations of rock wren and expansion/ migration of numbers/ pairs into unoccupied habitat (Weston 2014).

The 2018 braided river bird survey for the Makarora River commenced on the 18 October over a period of three days. The survey area begins at Boiler Flat, includes the lower Willkin and finishes at the Makarora delta where the river meets Lake Wanaka. Endangered braided river birds; wrybill, black-fronted tern, black-billed gull, banded dotterel and South Island pied oyster catcher have returned to breed on the braided river again.

This years survey found six pairs of endemic wrybill (the only bird in the world with a bill that bends to the right) two on nests with eggs and one with two new chicks. During the survey one of the male wrybills was identified with a metal leg band and its unique code was identified thanks to the help of an amazing photo taken by volunteer surveyor Nick Beckwith.

The wrybill was originally banded as a juvenile at Miranda (Firth of Thames) and now as a six year old is found breeding over 900 km away. This bird has probably made the return journey at least five times. A wrybill female was also recorded with a metal band last year and she was found to have been banded on the same day as the male (as an adult) at Miranda during November 2012.

Makarora braided river habitat and wrybill migration route (bottom left) from wintering site in the north island to breeding site in the South.New Zealand Bird Banding Scheme Record

Key nest site monitoring is ongoing throughout the breeding season. Two wrybill chicks hatched on 6 Nov after 30 day incubation period; mainly by the female.

Female wrybill with two eggs

The black fronted terns had formed a number of nesting colonies with eggs at many nest sites along the length of the river. Unfortunately most nests have been lost to high level flooding over the last weekend but signs of re-nesting has already been observed.

Despite the Makarora River flooded “bank to bank” last Friday the adaptation of endemic braided river birds is such that a flightless braid island bound banded dotterel chick somehow survived an extreme natural weather event (image below). Nature never fails to amaze!

Immature banded dotterel (pre-fledgling)

Southern black-backed gull populationcontrol commenced this season on the Makarora River and also on a more national scale for Canterbury braided rivers. The numbers of SBBG’s have significantly increased on the Makarora River and on a national scale due primarily to changes in landuse. They are a known predator of braided river bird eggs and chicks, particularly in relation to black-fronted terns. This is evident from trial camera footage at several nesting sites. Invasive avian predator control complements the existing invasive mammal predator control programme for the Makarora River. Similar control measures over time have been shown to increase fledgling success for black fronted terns on the Tasman River.

Other interesting records include a banded and flagged South Island pied oystercatcher. This bird was originally banded at Sand Island near Nelson Airport as an adult during January 2010. This is an interesting record as little is currently know about the migrational movements of this species.

In the news, ABT are delighted to feature in the latest Otago Regional Council (ORC) Eco Fund promotional video (above screenshot of the Makarora River with the Wilkin valley in the background) and were asked to supply threatened species survey images from last season (top left and top right below) which have been used to feature in the new promotional brochure. The video provides a short clip on a number of valuable environmental projects happening across Otago. There is nice drone footage of the Makarora braided river habitat. The video aims to encourage projects that protect and enhance the environment and the community.

We may have been quite but behind the scenes ABT are busy implementing and progressing Makarora threatened species programmes for endemic braided river birds, rock wren, blue duck / whio and forest birds. This also includes biodiversity education an integral part of connecting people with nature.

Predator Control

Invasive mammalian catch effort on the Makarora braided river has removed a number of stoats, hedgehogs, rats and mice in preparation for the spring bird breeding season. Feral cats and the Southern black-backed gull (an avian predator of endemic braided river bird chicks) are also part of the braided river bird restoration programme and will be addressed this coming season. Volunteer help has been essential to this progress.

Winter invasive mammal trap maintenance on the Makarora River (frosty…)

The implementation of ABT’s Makarora Braided River Bird Invasive Predator Control Strategy commenced this weekend (7-8 April). A team of amazing volunteers helped deploy a number of invasive mammal traps along 15 km of the Makarora River. Trap locations and deployment was informed by previous braided river bird monitoring undertaken during the 2017/2018 survey season and existing information on the movement of invasive mammalian predators (capable of decimating indigenous bird life) such as stoat, rat and hedgehog.

Makarora shallow river crossing – linking arm technique

Volunteers keen to help indigenous wildlife included local Makarora residents, members of Makarora School and nearby residents of Lake Hawea.

Sunday with a little rain and wind…The beginning of the weekend at Wharf Creek, Makarora River

The day began with loading up of traps on two boats, one a jet boat with an experienced captain Rod Elliott and partner Jos Mclean. Following a jet boat ride to the far side of the river, volunteers were loaded up with traps for particular designated areas and equipped with a GPS. Traps were then securely staked, marked with coloured triangles and numbered to aid future maintenance.

Following a trap setting demonstration and health and safety talk, traps were baited and sett according to recognised best practice.

The installation and maintenance of the Makarora braided river trapping network aims to help control invasive mammalian predator numbers so that endangered braided river birds such as wrybill, black-fronted tern, banded dotterel and black-billed gull can nest and successfully raise their chicks without being predated. In the longer term a noticeable increase in braided river bird restoration is desired.

Further traps are to be deployed and monthly trap maintenance will be ongoing during the non-breeding season with more frequent checks during the bird nesting season (spring/summer). Volunteers welcome!

ABT’s rock wren transect survey monitoring programme for the 2017/2018 survey season includes the Crucible Basin situated within the Siberia Valley. Monitoring surveys aim to provide an updated baseline on threatened species and allow repeatable monitoring for rock wren within the Makarora catchment to help guide appropriate future conservation management in relation to invasive mammalian predators.

A number of rock wren pairs were recorded present within the bolder-field and moraine habitat and evidence of adults foraging invertebrates for nestlings was noted. During rock wren surveys the Crucible Basin was also noted as an important site for kea as well as rock wren. On both survey occasions seven kea were observed, mainly this years juveniles with their characteristic yellow ceres, eyelids and pale crowns. Kea parents were observed feeding young fledglings regurgitated food and a rock bivi frequented by kea was found close to Lake Crucible.

ABT are collaborating with DoC to extend current mammalian trapping efforts for rock wren within the alpine environment of the Makarora catchment.

Kea fledgling (2017/ 2018) Lake Crucible

All kea records in relation to ABT’s survey and monitoring have been forwarded to the Kea Conservation Trust to help inform a national kea database.

Generally our time at Crucible Basin was positive however, we did note an aerial drone trying to film kea and artificial feeding by visitors. These are two national issues where continued awareness raising is crucial for New Zealand’s threatened species. Image below shows a hunkered down kea looking up at the drone buzzing above whilst others disappeared beneath boulder habitat.

The Aspiring Biodiversity Trust are pleased to report the confirmed presence of rock wren at the north branch of the Wilkin River following the undertaking and setting up of a recent (Jan 2018) transect monitoring survey.

Rock wren (adult female)

Rock wren Xenicus gilviventris is the only true alpine New Zealand bird species and is currently classed as globally endangered under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Peter Child’s (1980) work was the first comprehensive bird survey of Mt Aspiring National Park for rock wren.

The main threat to this species is predation from invasive mammals such as stoats and rats now known to be present within alpine environments. The results of the survey will help inform and guide existing and future conservation management for rock wren. Monitoring transects will also be repeated in subsequent years to allow more informed decisions to be made in relation to this indigenous alpine specialist.

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Jazzy is a whio (blue duck) living at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre. Jazzy has a weak spot for fellow resident, Jimmy, and his ‘blue steel’ model looks. Together, Jazzy and Jimmy are helping to increase whio numbers in the wild.